All my fish died over night

[emilystelck]

All my fish died overnight. Everyone looked great last night. I added a couple new fish yesterday, did not change water. Did not quarantine these fish because I’ve had such good luck and everyone has always been fine after temperature acclimation. Most of these fish have been in the tank already for 2-3 weeks.

ph about 8
Nitrate 0
Nitrate 0
Ammonia 0
Alkalinity 200
Hardness 300
Temperature 78

Deceased fish:
sailfin blenny x2
Royal dotty back
Clown fish x 2
Arrow crab
Snowflake eel
Blue Koran angel
Blonde naso tang
Hawkfish
green long tentacle anemone

Alive still:
Pink spotted watchman goby x 2
Emerald crab x 2
Hermit crabs
Chocolate Chip Star Fish
Two different types of coral (I think they’re alive?)

Not seen yet and assuming deceased in caves:
Caribbean Octopus
Black and white Heniochus
Striped Blenny
Pajama Cardinal

I’m also relatively new to salt water tanks. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Very upset over the situation. Also to add, none of the fish have any visible spots, wounds, discoloration, slime or anything on them. They’re just dead.

 

[emilystelck]

Could be, but I'm curious about the tank size. Either way the fish are dead and who knows what happened.

100 gallons. All sellers of the fish knew the size of tank and what was already in the tank. No one ever asked me how old it was though. Which is probably why I didn’t realize that was so important.

 

[emilystelck]

Any pictures?

I assume you mean of the fish? I only took a few.

 

[emilystelck]

How big of a tank age of tank etc. that’s a huge bioload and my guess would be octopus died and caused the tank to crash

100 gallons, two years old. My octopus was a very small one. Only about four inches. I think the people I bought fish from just wanted a sale and I didn’t get the proper education.

 

[Jimmyneptune]

Not seen yet and assuming deceased in caves:
Caribbean Octopus
Black and white Heniochus
Striped Blenny
Pajama Cardinal

Get theses out of the tank.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Electric shock?

 

[emilystelck]

100 gallons, two years old. My octopus was a very small one. Only about four inches. I think the people I bought fish from just wanted a sale and I didn’t get the proper education.

I don’t know why the picture of the eel was there lol sorry

 

[emilystelck]

Not seen yet and assuming deceased in caves:
Caribbean Octopus
Black and white Heniochus
Striped Blenny
Pajama Cardinal

Get theses out of the tank.

Okay!

 

[Jimmyneptune]

Do a large water change.

 

[emilystelck]

Is this an elaborate troll, new to saltwater has an eel octopus and all of these fish in 3 weeks?!

My eel was only about six inches and my octopus about four inches. Not to be mistaken with very large versions.

 

[emilystelck]

Do a large water change.

I’m assuming I should take everything out, clean everything, probably replace all my live plants and stuff too and fallow for a couple months?

 

[Jimmyneptune]

That really hurts sorry for your loss.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Plants? Like macroalgae?
No need to fallow unless it was disease that did this. Sounds like it was definitely a param issue though.
I’d bet it’s the octopus that set this off as they are not easy to care for.

 

[emilystelck]

That really hurts sorry for your loss.

Guess I need to use more reputable sources when making purchases and asking questions. I think I got a lot of false information. Do you have any recommendations of good websites to use to do my own research before trusting salesmen?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

100 gallons. All sellers of the fish knew the size of tank and what was already in the tank. No one ever asked me how old it was though. Which is probably why I didn’t realize that was so important.

That sucks to hear. You have to gradually add your fish since the bioload isn't there to support life. Don't be discouraged, start over again slowly and you can do well!

 

[emilystelck]

Plants? Like macroalgae?
No need to fallow unless it was disease that did this. Sounds like it was definitely a param issue though.
I’d bet it’s the octopus that set this off as they are not easy to care for.

I was nervous about a disease just because I added two fish yesterday and then this happened so it was my first guess. That or a parasite.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I’m assuming I should take everything out, clean everything, probably replace all my live plants and stuff too and fallow for a couple months?

Do you have any way to check if there's electricity in the aquarium? I would check that first.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I was nervous about a disease just because I added two fish yesterday and then this happened so it was my first guess. That or a parasite.

It would have to be a super fast killer and I haven't seen anything that would kill all your fish so quickly.

 

[Jimmyneptune]

Check tis out and see if it applies to your situation.
https://tonmo.com/threads/why-did-my-octopus-die.7067/

 

[Sharkbait19]

Guess I need to use more reputable sources when making purchases and asking questions. I think I got a lot of false information. Do you have any recommendations of good websites to use to do my own research before trusting salesmen?

Lots of good info on here to start! Definitely check out the brs videos.

I was nervous about a disease just because I added two fish yesterday and then this happened so it was my first guess. That or a parasite.

How did everything look/act before dying? Could have been disease but it’s rare for something to kill that many fish, that fast, with no visible symptoms.

 

[emilystelck]

Do you have any way to check if there's electricity in the aquarium? I would check that first.

I do have a heater in there but it’s at the correct water level… I wouldn’t even know how to check that! There are no cords or anything in the water.